by Pastor Wendall Ward
Hosea 6:3 NLT Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
The Greek word “know” has a special place in my heart. The very night I was saved, the grace of God opened my heart with an intense desire to “know” the Lord. After years of confusion and ignorance about God, I cried out that night. “I want to know you!”, I said. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I was caught up together with him. That night, in surrender, I gave him my all. And I have spent my life getting to “know” and love the God who delivered me.
The Greek word “ginosko,” translated as “know,” holds profound significance within the context of Scripture. Unlike the simple acquisition of facts, “ginosko” conveys a depth of understanding. One that goes beyond intellectual activity to encompass experiential, relational knowledge. It implies an intimate, personal acquaintance that can only be fully realized through divine revelation and spiritual growth.
Understanding “Ginosko” in the New Testament
In the New Testament, “ginosko” appears frequently. In each instance it carries with it a unique shade of meaning that adds to the richness of the term. One of the most poignant uses of “ginosko” is found in John 17:3, where Jesus prays, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Here, “know” signifies more than mere recognition; it denotes a profound, ongoing relationship with God that is life-giving and transformative.
The Relational Aspect of “Ginosko”
The use of “ginosko” in John 17:3 emphasizes the idea that true knowledge of God is inherently relational. This knowledge is not something that can be fully grasped through study or analysis alone. Instead, it is a knowledge that grows and deepens over time. As believers walk with God and experience His presence in their lives, they get to know Him. It is akin to the intimate knowledge shared between close friends or between a husband and wife. This is a knowledge marked by trust, love, and mutual understanding.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
“Ginosko” also highlights the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s journey of knowing God. According to 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” The knowledge imparted by the Holy Spirit is an intimate understanding of God’s nature and His will for our lives. Which cannot be attained through human effort alone.
Experiential Knowledge Through the Holy Spirit
This experiential knowledge is further elaborated in 2 Peter 3:18, where believers are exhorted to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The continual growth in knowledge underscores the dynamic nature of “ginosko.” It is an ever-deepening relationship, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, that shapes and transforms the believer’s life.
Ginosko in the Context of Marriage
An additional layer of meaning for “ginosko” can be found in its application to the marriage relationship. In passages such as Matthew 1:25, where it is said that Joseph “had no union with her until she gave birth to a son,” “ginosko” describes the intimate, personal union between husband and wife. This use of the term underscores the depth and intimacy of the knowledge it conveys. It is a knowledge that involves not only physical union but also emotional and spiritual communion.
Implications for Spiritual Union
Applying this understanding to the spiritual realm, “ginosko” conveys the depth of union and communion that believers are called to have with God. It is an invitation to enter into a relationship that is as intimate and personal. Just as the marital relationship, characterized by complete openness, trust, and mutual delight.
Practical Applications for Believers
For believers today, the concept of “ginosko” holds several practical implications. Firstly, it calls for an understanding of faith that goes beyond intellectual assent to include a living, active relationship with God. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, worship, and obedience to God’s Word. Secondly, it highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. As the one who reveals the deep things of God, the Holy Spirit is essential for our ongoing growth in knowledge and grace. Believers are thus encouraged to seek the Spirit’s guidance and to remain open to His transformative work. Finally, “ginosko” reminds us of the relational nature of our faith journey. Just as a marriage thrives on mutual communication and understanding, so too does our relationship with God. Believers are called to cultivate a deep, personal acquaintance with God, marked by love, trust, and continual growth.
Conclusion
The word “ginosko” in Scripture invites us to a profound and intimate knowledge of God, transcending mere intellectual understanding. It calls us to a relational, experiential faith, nurtured by the Holy Spirit and characterized by continual growth and transformation. As we embrace this deep knowing, we are drawn ever closer to the heart of God. As we experience the fullness of His love and grace in our lives.
Ginosko is the knowing of “eternal life”, the quality of an everlasting life with God that can only be experienced by faith and surrender (Rom 12:1-2). It is the knowing to which Paul referred in Philippians 3:7-11. There he expressed his desire to “know” the Lord, even at the expense of what his considerable intellect had taught him. It is the knowing that brings you to the appreciation of how “good, acceptable and perfect” God’s will for your life can be. And the assurances that he brings to the heart of his sons and daughters.
To read more by Pastor Wendall Ward, follow this link to another blog. https://bethewordministry.com/love-is-kind/
Here’s a song to help you in in your quest to get to know Him better.